Windows 8 reportedly will launch in October

Windows 8 Consumer Preview setup

Here’s a look at what happens when you run the setup program for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. (Click Show Caption for details)

Those who bet on such things have been predicting that the next version of Windows will become available this fall, just in time to make its appearance on shiny new computers during the holiday shopping season. Now, Bloomberg says Windows 8 will be finished this summer and will hit real and virtual store shelves in October.

And while Bloomberg reports there will be dozens of new PCs running Intel processors at the launch, Microsoft won’t have as many running ARM-based processors:

The initial rollout will include devices running Intel Corp. (INTC) and ARM Holdings Plc (ARM)chips, making good on Microsoft’s promise to support both standards, said the people, who declined to be named because the plans are confidential. In embracing ARM technology, Microsoft is using the same kind of processors as Apple Inc.’s iPad. Still, there will be fewer than five ARM devices in the debut, compared with more than 40 Intel machines.

That means there won’t be an initial glut of tablets running the lower-power ARM chips at Windows 8′s launch, if the Bloomberg story is correct. Yes, Intel makes chips for tablets, too, but it’s the promise of Windows on ARM that Microsoft hopes will make dents in the tablet market.

Why so few ARM devices? While Microsoft recently pushed out a test version of Windows 8 for consumers to try, it only runs on Intel- and AMD-based PCs. It has limited access to the ARM version of Windows 8 beta builds to a select few, Blomberg says.

This will be the first version of Windows to run on ARM chips, a move seen as crucial to Microsoft’s continued relevance in a post-PC era. Microsoft’s strategy is to have Windows applications that, with minimal tweaking, run on smartphones, tablets and traditional PCs. Windows 8 features both the classic Windows desktop and a new interface inspired by its Zune and Windows Phone software.

Microsoft has not yet said exactly when Windows 8 will launch, but may do so at its Worldwide Partner Conference in early April, Bloomberg reports.